This course presents the student with
some aspects of the Spanish American and Spanish Literature. It seeks
to develop advanced language skills in composition and presentation.
This course is a bridge, a multi-genre introduction to literary analysis
with readings, discussions, and writing about Hispanic literatures. The
literary approach of this course will help students continue their process
in the development of language skills and understanding of Hispanic cultures.
This course has an additional element: the challenge of applying critical
thinking skills to the selected texts.

UNIVERSITY MISSION
STATEMENTLee
University is a Christian institution which offers liberal arts
and professional education on both the baccalaureate and master’s
levels. It seeks to provide education that integrates biblical
truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with truth discovered through
the study of arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions.
A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior is the controlling
perspective from which the educational enterprise is carried out.
The foundational purpose of all educational programs is to develop
within the students’ knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability
and skills which will prepare them for responsible Christian living
in a complex world.

Throughout the semester there will be some procedures
to promote the communicative exchange, such as lectures, Video/audio/computer
exercises, presentations, as well as written and oral exercises.
Some of them` are mentioned below:

Integrate faith and communicative skills
in the making of projects and tasks in class.

Participation in class
involves a number of variables, including but not limited to:

Your use of Spanish in
the classroom

Your willingness to participate
actively in all class activities

Your cooperation during
group and pair work

Your respect and attitude
toward the class and your peers

Your daily preparation
for each class.

The use of cell phones,
pagers, iPods or mp3 players and all other electronic equipment during
class is prohibited as they interrupt the class concentration and work.
All equipment must be turned off in the classroom. Any evidence of cell
phones (use, ringing, buzzing, etc.) and similar equipment use will result
in an automatic zero in participation for that day. Using a cell phone
during a composition or test will result in a zero on that assignment.

Learning a second language requires
the exposure of the target as well as the communicative exchange
of ideas and opinions with your classmates and instructor. Therefore,
attendance is essential in this course. For that reason, attendance
is required and will be taken on a daily basis. However, it
is understood that periodically things happen that could prevent your
attendance. Thus, you will be allowed 3 unexcused absences throughout
the semester; beginning with the fourth absence, 1 percentage point
will be deducted from your final grade if you are not able to document
the absence with written proof of a valid excuse within 10 days of
the absence. The written documentation of the excused absence should
include the name of the student, the section of the course, the dates
of the absence and the reason for the absence.
If you are absent the day of a test, quiz, spoken
activity or composition, you will receive a 0 on that assignment.

Three late arrivals and/or early departures of 10+ minutes
will count as absences.
Make sure to get the name and phone number of
a classmate, as you are responsible for finding out about any
changes in the syllabus or any additional assignments announced
while you were absent.

Assignments are due on the day indicated, regardless of whether
or not you are in class that day. If you miss class, arrange for
your assignment to get to your instructor’s box before your scheduled
class time.

Evaluation despcription (90%)Tests (30%) There will be two
in-class written tests (see Calendar for specific dates), one upon concluding
every three chapters (following Chapters 3, and 6). The goal of the
tests is to assess your ability to assimilate what you have learned
about Spanish grammar, vocabulary, language, and culture in each unit.
You are also expected to critically respond to and analyze the topics
covered in class and in the texts. Tests will consist of listening, reading
and writing sections in which your overall knowledge of the course material
is evaluated.

Oral Presentations (30%). During
the term, you will give 2 oral presentations.
They are approximately 8 minutes long and will deal with a poem
and the topic of your essay. The material you actually present
should be 8 minutes, though the questions you pose to the class at the
end of your presentation may necessitate your presence as discussion
leader for more time. Remember that people typically underestimate
how much they have to say or how long their delivery will take.
Time your delivery beforehand so that it does not run over. I will
let you know when you have 1-2 minutes left and need to close, and then
pose your questions.
As a presenter, you will be the specialist on your topic and
will both share your ideas with your peers, as well as lead and facilitate
their discussion afterwards. Therefore, when you are preparing
your topic, you should be putting together your reading and what you
would like to "present", as well as questions you would like to pose to
the class. These questions may be "lead-ins" to your own ideas
or they may include questions or problems you have thought about but
have been unable to resolve. You certainly do not have to have
"all of the answers", but you should give some thought to any complicated
issues that arise and be able to share them with the class. The presentation
is a moment for you to develop a topic for the class, but also get feedback
and listen to your peers' opinions as they validate, challenge and enrich
your own. To this end, also try to avoid speaking for 8 minutes straight
without asking people if they have questions or comments -- prompt others
to stay attentive and involved. This will also help you feel less
nervous if you happen to be feeling any performance anxiety. Finally,
try to feel more comfortable remembering that everyone wants you to do
well; everyone wants to hear your presentation and participate in the
discussion. Though it is not required, you are certainly welcome
to use the board, handouts or the computer if it helps you make your point.
Remember to cite the author of a text; don't read, and be sure to move through
your presentation in an efficient, clear way. Essays (30%). Through the semester,
you will analyze literary works integrated in our textbook. Your
writing assignments will range in length from approximately 2-3 pages.
These short essays are intended to be a place for you to reflect on our
readings and class discussions, push beyond what we have talked about
in class, and work through issues you find interesting in the texts.
Each paper requires that you analyze, not summarize or describe the text.

Academic
Integrity: Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the
University community. An academic honesty offense is defined as
the act of lying, cheating, or stealing academic information
so that one gains academic advantage. Any individual who becomes
aware of a violation of the Honor Code is bound by honor to take
corrective action. Violations
of the Academic Honesty Guidelines include but are not limited
to: Cheating. The improper taking or tendering of any
information or material that shall be used to determine academic
credit. Taking of information includes copying graded homework assignments
from another student; working with another individual(s) on graded
assignments or homework; looking or attempting to look at notes,
a text, or another student's paper during an exam.

Plagiarism. The
attempt to represent the work of another as the product of
one's own thought, whether the other's work is oral or written
(including electronic), published or unpublished. Plagiarism includes,
but is not limited to, quoting oral or written materials without
citation on written materials or in oral presentations; submitting
work produced by an on-line translation service or the translation
feature of an on-line dictionary as your own. Misrepresentation.
Any act or omission with intent to
deceive a teacher for academic advantage. Misrepresentation includes
lying to a teacher to increase your grade; lying or misrepresenting
facts when confronted with an allegation of academic honesty.